The National Museum of China (NMC) is located on the east side of the Tian’anmen Square in Beijing. It was founded in February, 2003 after a merger between the former National Museum of Chinese History and the National Museum of Chinese Revolution. NMC, an integrated national museum under the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, focuses on both history and art and is dedicated to its collection, exhibitions, research, archaeology, public education, and cultural communication.
The predecessor of the National Museum of Chinese History is the Preparatory Office of the National Museum of History, which was founded on July 9, 1912. Upon the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, the museum was renamed the Beijing Museum of History. In 1959, it was renamed the National Museum of Chinese History. The predecessor of the National Museum of Chinese Revolution was the Preparatory Office of the National Museum of Revolution founded in March, 1950 and renamed ten years later. In August, 1959, the construction of the new building on the east side of the Tian’anmen Square that housed both museums was completed. The building was regarded one of the “Ten Great Constructions” built to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. On October 1 of that same year, the two museums opened to the public.
Under the main objective to be “leading within China and first-class internationally”, the National Museum of China puts “people” foremost and develops based on “staff, collection, business, and academic research”. It aims at protecting Chinese cultural heritage, displaying the time-honoured history of China, providing education on history and culture for the public – especially for the young people, and promoting cultural exchange with other countries and regions. Through these efforts, we hope to make the museum a classroom for life-long learning and a palace for culture.
From March, 2007 to the end of 2010, the NMC carried out a project to expand the museum such that it covers nearly 200,000 square metres. Today NMC is the largest museum in the world with first-class facilities. Its total number of collections has reached 1.06 million. With forty-eight galleries, the museum has two permanent exhibitions Ancient China and The Road of Rejuvenation and more than a dozen categories of display related to thematic exhibitions and international exchange exhibits.
From the Director Mr. LU Zhangshen
Welcome to the National Museum of China (NMC) website.
The NMC is a fully integrated national museum under the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic China. It focuses on both history and art and is dedicated to its collection, exhibitions, research, archaeology, public education, and cultural communication.
After numerous reformations within nearly 100 years, the museum has established a rich foundation of museum culture that has contributed to the construction and development of Chinese museums in the 20th century. In the 21st century, while promoting the development and prosperity of socialist culture, NMC has gained an opportunity to develop a long-term plan. That plan included the extension of the building to an area of nearly 200,000 square metres. As the world’s largest museum featuring world-class facilities, NMC will provide the public with excellent arts and history exhibitions, as well as other leisure services. Not only has the museum amassed 5,000 years of Chinese art and cultural heritage, the museum itself is testimony to the Chinese road to revival in the past century. It provides high-quality exhibitions reflective of the fruits of world civilization.
To support the public cultural services and satisfy people’s learning needs, we strive to promote the historical and cultural knowledge of the general public - to the young people in particular. We do this all while making the NMC a classroom for life-long learning. Through our perpetual effort, we can gradually build an establishment commensurate with China’s status, long history, splendid civilization, drive for socialist modernization, and the growing spiritual and cultural needs of the people.
NMC’s official website will not only be an online extension of the museum, but also a cross-regional platform for public access. We place high importance on constructing this digital museum and will use it to strengthen the museum’s relationship with the public. Nevertheless, we hope that our online visitors from within and outside of China will come to the heart of this country and visit our museum. You won’t be disappointed by this magnificent and unique new building! It is a place where you can enjoy the timeless historical and artistic treasures it houses while experiencing our first-class service.
I believe, when you stroll through the long road of history and art, you will marvel at the splendour of 5,000 years of Chinese culture, admire the glory of this world civilization, and be immersed in the beauty of art. You will certainly enjoy your journey at the NMC!
Opening hours:
During trial operation: Tue - Sun 9 am - 5 pm
closed on Mon
